Impact of work and study during pandemic on the mental state of medical professionals

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a heavy increase in the incidence of development/exacerbation of mental disorders in healthcare workers. The relevance and importance of early detection of predisposition to the development of mental disorders is increasing not only among practicing physicians, but also among clinical residents and students of medical universities.Objective: to assess the emotional state in different groups of medical workers and medical students.Patients and methods. The study involved 110 doctors of both sexes, including 64 (68.2%) women and 46 (41.8%) men aged 26–40 years who took upgrade training courses at the RUDN University departments; 108 residents of the second year of study aged 24–26, of which 67 (62.1%) women and 41 (37.9%) men, and 43 students of the 1st year of RUDN University aged 17–19, of which 29 (67.4%) women and 14 (32.6%) men. The study was conducted in February–May 2021. The research methods included questionnaires and psychometric assessment of the condition of the subjects and statistical data processing.Results and discussion. We documented a high frequency of signs of psychopathological disorders such as anxiety (44.5%), depression (23.6%), asthenia (86.4%) and eating behavior disorders (up to 68.2%) among practicing physicians of various specialties and students (residents and students) during pandemic.Conclusion. The stressful impact of the pandemic on the work and training of medical professionals leads to a deterioration in their mental health.